The confrontation comes amid heightened China-US tensions over three disputed islands in the South China Sea. US ally Japan has contested China’s right to the island chain, which is also claimed by Taiwan. The standoff has been fueled by the area’s natural resources, as well as China extending its Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) over areas claimed by neighboring states for their own ADIZs. China argues that Japan unfairly and unilaterally declared its ADIZ in 1969, and accuses the US and other Western critics of having double standards.

Beijing has repeatedly warned the US against interfering in the region, while Washington has vowed to ignore China’s ADIZ when conducting its military missions and to support Japan’s claims.

At the same time, Baldanza said that instances of interception such as the one on Tuesday have become relatively rare as of late, noting that the situation has improved over the past year.

“DoD has seen improvements in PRC actions, flying in a safe and professional manner.”